The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Bulenani Magwanishe says the agro-processing and forestry sectors are key in growing the economy and create sustainable jobs especially in the rural areas. Magwanishe was speaking at the Forestry Industrialisation Summit that was hosted by the South African Forestry Company and other government departments in Kempton Park today.

The importance of the Western Cape agroprocessing sector will be highlighted at this year’s Propak Cape exhibition taking place in Cape Town in October. Packaging forms an important part of the agricultural and agriprocessing value chain by extending shelf life, preventing spoilage and helping the product to arrive at the customer in good condition.

According to ENGINEERING NEWS Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies re-affirmed on Tuesday that government planned to pursue an increasing number of sector-specific incentive schemes, with an initial focus on the creation of new incentives for the agro- processing and railways industries.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, and his Saudi counterpart, Dr Twafeeq Al Rabeeach will co-chair the seventh session of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Cape Town. The JEC will start tomorrow with senior government officials and conclude on Tuesday, 15 March 2016 with the signing of the joint communiqué by the two ministers.